FiTC TO over for another year.

Sniffle. Just like that, FiTC TO is over. One last lunch with some folks and off they go to their respective locales.

James Patterson's work is incredible. It's really evolved. I look forward to seeing his universe unfold. I wish I knew him better personally, as he's a hell of a guy.

Robert Hodgin continues to impress with his incredible work. Plus, his dry wit and sharp tongue is a boon to all of us that have the pleasure of knowing him. And he has some wicked people to work with at Barbarian Group

Grant Skinner and his wife Bobi are two people, that if I missed them, I'd miss them. Plus, Grant's words of wisdom taken from his years of speaking was a tremendous help in calming me down before, and after, my session.

Erik Natzke and his lovely Tobey left early but they were catching a flight to Norway so who can blame them? Seeing his work has always inspired me. Plus, he punches hard. I get to punch him back and he doesn't mind since he's built like a tank.

Phillip Kerman has been doing some really funny videos.

Chaos-101. Keith Peters. All she wrote, yo.

There's lots more, of course. Josh is even more of a brand, partnering up with Umbra. I don't see them on Umbra, but he also designed bedding. So if you've always wanted to curl up with Josh and drink a hot chocolate with him while watching the English Patient, here's your chance. I'm pretty sure he won't do that in person, unless it's the extra-long director's cut. He's a sucker for Ralph Fiennes.

Lastly, this was year was different because Libs got to join me once in awhile and meet all the people I've been talking about for the past however many years. She finally managed to have a nice chat with most of them. And we brought Declan to the festival for a short while where he captured the hearts of every onlooker with his crush on the Seneca bee.

and stole a beach ball from Aquent.